Interior: Modern rustic barn

"We are modernists," says Russell Groves of his New York-based architecture firm. "But for me, with this project I wanted  to preserve a warm, welcoming space." His clients, a couple with two young children, are similarly drawn to a modern aesthetic. "We tried to marry the old with their modern lifestyle and art collection," says Russell, who has worked with the couple on two of their houses in New York.

In this case, the 'old' is a barn that previous owners had bought and deconstructed, moved from Canada to Connecticut, and then converted into a residence. Russell updated the mechanical, electrical and data systems but saw no need to structurally alter the residence. "The bones were there," he says. "It's a perfect saltbox from the outside, so that appealed to my purist, or modern, sensibility. Inside, there's a Shaker quality. And there's drama, with some double-height spaces that are quite exciting. We just need to bring it to the next level and align it more with their lifestyle."


Natural beauty In the entryway, an oversize Capiz-shell globe chandelier complements the double-height ceiling. The cerused oak credenza, designed by Russell, has a driftwood quality. "Its finish enhances the grain of the oak, making it very textural," he says.